Dallas Dhu 33 Years Old 1979 Licensed Bottling (G&M)

This Dallas Dhu was bottled by the Elgin house Gordon and MacPhail, a 33 year old, distilled in 1979, bottled at 43%. Dallas Dhu distilled a fruity, oily Speyside malt near Forres before closing in 1983. With the distillery long silent, every bottle draws on a finite, dwindling stock.

It was worked through the pot stills for an oily, fruity make, giving an oily spirit with a wisp of smoke. A bourbon barrel held it, vanilla and a soft toffee over the oily malt. In its ethereal years the malt is waxy and oxidative, faded esters and a touch of sotolon (maple, spice). Most Dallas Dhu went quietly into the Roderick Dhu blend, a little surviving as single malt. The worm tubs gave a meaty weight to the new spirit, softening to fruit over the years. Its malty, fruity spirit went almost entirely into blends, never sold as an official single malt in its day. No more was made after 1983, though the distillery still stands as a museum.

At an approachable 43% it is soft and balanced. Malty fruit, honey and a soft oil, with a soft vanilla from the oak. Beneath it run malty fruit, honey and a soft oil. A malty, honeyed finish ends on apple and toffee. This is Dallas Dhu, the dark water valley, preserved as a museum.